How to Eat Carnations

How to Eat Carnations
Provided by eHow.com
Answerbag.com Article
Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

* Carnations
* Scissors
* Paper towels

Step 1:
Select fresh healthy carnations free of pesticides. Edible flowers should be grown in your own garden or purchased from an organic market. Carnations have different flavors. Spicy carnations are wonderful for pastas and salads. Sweet-tasting carnations are suited to desserts. Sample a petal before using the carnations.

Step 2:
Wash the carnations and blot them gently on a paper towel. Grasp the petals in one hand and use clean kitchen shears or scissors to cut the flower between the bright petal color and the white petal base. The white part is bitter and should not be eaten. Spread out the flower and pick out only the petals. Other flower parts should not be eaten. Check the petals for any insects or blemishes. Use the petals immediately or store refrigerated in a tight container or plastic bag. Use within a day or two for best results.

Step 3:
Freeze carnation petals in ice cubes. Use plain water or mix a few drops of food coloring in a quart of water for tinted cubes. Add the frozen flower cubes to lemonade, iced tea or water. Float the cubes in dinner punch bowls for unique flavoring and decoration.

Step 4:
Sprinkle carnation petals over fresh salads. For a festive appearance, serve the salads on plates and scatter chilled carnation petals around the outside of the plate. If desired, add petals to vinegar and oil dressing, shake well, and serve with the salad.

Step 5:
Steep the carnation petals in wine. Experiment for the flavor you like best. Filter them out, dip lightly in sugar and use as cake decorations. The wine-flavored petals can also be served with cookies or other party desserts. Add wine petals to tea or sprinkle on ice cream.

Step 6:
Place petals at the bottom of gelatin molds and fill with lemon gelatin mixed with shredded carrots or pineapple. The spicy flavor does not blend well with all flavors so again experiment to your taste. You may prefer to turn the set gelatin out onto lettuce leaves and scatter carnation petals around the lettuce for added color and flavor.

Step 7:
Use carnation petals to garnish pasta dishes, salads, cottage cheese and main dishes. Like parsley and watercress, the petals are edible accents to the main dish and can be eaten or set aside by guests.

Tips & Warnings

* Grow your own assorted carnations and be sure any pesticides or chemicals that you use are suited to food crops.
* Most commercial carnations from florists and garden centers have been chemically treated and should not be eaten.

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